The weak point in Bittorrent has always been the centralized tracker. But, with the addition of DHT in most new clients, the classic shift from method to application can now occur.Bittorrent can now be positioned as what it truly is, a high-demand file distribution system. Blah, blah, blah. What I’m trying to say is, Bittorrent style downloading will be built into open-source applications for file and media distribution.
Also, watch for Microsoft to code a working copy of it’s Avalanche system and attempt to sell it to enterprise application developers for mainstream application use. (Possibly writing it in one of it’s .Net languages.) Bram Cohen could cut them off if he changed the bittorrent license to allow for any use or charge a small fee for non-open-source applications. I emphasize the word “small” because Microsoft could easily undercut him, or give Avalanche away to encourage it’s use. (i.e. Netscape Vs. Internet Explorer) Honestly, I can see Microsoft doing both, giving Avalanche away for personal/small use, and selling it for enterprise development.This is neither here, nor there, if Avalanche never gets off the test bed. (I don’t care what anyone has said. I’ve seen the powerpoint. It’s just vapor-ware/research.)
Examples of bittorrent empowered applications: Videora, TV Mistress, SwarmTV, and Podcasting
I have even joined the fervor with my own open-source broadcatching program for windows, based on the official bittorrent core. I honestly don’t understand why this hasn’t been done many, many more times before. It took me just two days to get a working alpha version. (Project 16B)
Update (11/11/2005):
Getright 6.0 Beta has support for bittorrent downloads and mirrors. Allowing for downloading file segments via HTTP, FTP, and Bittorrent simultaneously. (Details)
